Tag: Dan Dumbacher

AIAA Announces Winners of Prestigious Zarem Graduate Student Awards for Distinguished Achievement in Aeronautics and Astronautics

September 5, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the Zarem Graduate Student Award for Distinguished Achievement:

- Stephen Monroe, Clarkson University, won the aeronautics award for his paper, “Parallel Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) Studies of the Performance of ONR Waterjet AxWJ-2.” Monroe will present his paper at the 2024 International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) in Florence, Italy, 9-13 September 2024.

Quentin Roberts, University of Washington, won the astronautics award for his paper, “Investigation of Pre-Ignition Propellant Mixing in Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine.” Roberts will present his paper at the 2023 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, 2-6 October 2023.

The winners will receive their awards at the 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, Florida, 8–12 January 2024. This award was established by AIAA Honorary Fellow Abe Zarem, founder and managing director of Frontier Associates, to annually recognize graduate students in aeronautics and astronautics who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in their field.

- Stephen Monroe, Clarkson University, Aeronautics Award
  Stephen Monroe just completed his first year as an M.S. student in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University. He received his B.S. from Clarkson University in 2022. In his senior year, Monroe began learning CFD algorithms and HPC in the research group of Professor Chunlei Liang. During the first year of graduate study, Monroe conducted URANS studies of an ONR waterjet propulsion unit on parallel computers. He also is performing large eddy simulations of the same propulsion system to examine finer flow structures. Monroe is determined to become a skillful computational fluid dynamicist in large eddy simulations using an open-source code before completing his M.S. program. While uncertain about his future in academia, Monroe intends on using the skills he has developed to become a proficient propulsion system designer.“Coming into the Graduate School, I only intended on achieving an M.S. degree. Having been recognized for my hard work by the Abe Zarem award, not only has my passion for research been rejuvenated, but my consideration of furthering my education has as well,” said Monroe.Monroe’s faculty advisor, Chunlei Liang, is Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Clarkson University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of London in 2005. Liang is an ASME Fellow and an AIAA Associate Fellow.
- Quentin Roberts, University of Washington, Astronautics Award
  Quentin Roberts is an M.S. student at the University of Washington studying aeronautics and astronautics with a concentration in fluids. His research is on injector mixing in rotating detonation rocket engines (RDREs). Roberts will start work in fall 2023 as a propulsion analyst at Blue Origin. “Receiving this award will allow me to greatly expand my horizons in the world of astronautics by not only providing an opportunity to learn about what research the international community is working on, but also an opportunity to present my own research to an international audience,” said Roberts.
- Roberts’ faculty advisor, Carl Knowlen, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington in 1983 and 1985, respectively. He continued with his graduate research on ram accelerators at the UW and completed his Ph.D. program in 1991. Dr. Knowlen then accepted a Postdoctoral Research Associate position with the UW Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and has been teaching AA Department courses on a regular basis since 2002.

For more information on the Abe M. Zarem Graduate Awards for Distinguished Achievement, please contact Michael Lagana.

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Challenger Center and AIAA Open Nominations for 2025 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three winners will be honored for enthusiasm and dedication to STEM education

Washington and Reston, Va. (September 24, 2024) – Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced they are accepting nominations for the 2025 Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award. The annual award celebrates K-12 teachers going above and beyond to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. Nominations can be submitted online through December 1, 2024.

Three winners will be selected from the nominations. Each winner and their respective school or organization will be awarded $5,000. They will receive free access to Challenger Center’s STEM education programs. In addition, they will receive a trip to Washington, DC, to be honored at the 2025 AIAA Awards Gala, as well as a special presentation ceremony at their school. The winners also will have the opportunity to attend a space launch experience and/or a VIP tour of an aerospace facility.

“Teachers are essential in unlocking the potential of today’s students and fostering their interest in STEM,” said Valerie Fitton-Kane, vice president, Challenger Center. “We are excited to partner once again with the AIAA Foundation to celebrate outstanding STEM educators nationwide who go above and beyond to bring STEM to life for their students, inspiring them to explore the many opportunities available in STEM careers.”

“Educators are invaluable to our communities. We share a commitment with Challenger Center to invest in trailblazing educators because they are the clear force multiplier to inspiring our future workforce. They can spark students’ interest in STEM subjects, especially the science and engineering behind aerospace, that can drive a student’s future career choices,” said Laura McGill, chair, AIAA Foundation.

The award recognizes teachers who connect classroom lessons to the country’s current and future plans of STEM exploration and innovation, introduce students to STEM careers, and activate students’ imagination about space exploration.

The U.S. aerospace and defense industry leads the world in innovation, while still facing challenges of staffing a properly skilled and qualified workforce. Crucial gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion must be addressed – more STEM-literate graduates are needed, greater participation is needed by women and ethnic minorities, and early retirements are creating a growing knowledge gap.

About Challenger Center
As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center provides hundreds of thousands of students annually with experiential education programs that engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. These programs, delivered in Challenger Learning Centers and classrooms, strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields. Challenger Center was created by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51-L. For more information about Challenger Center, please visit https://www.challenger.org/ or connect on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

About AIAA Foundation
The AIAA Foundation inspires and supports the next generation of aerospace professionals. From classroom to career, the AIAA Foundation enables innovative K-12 and university programming, including STEM classroom grants, scholarships, conferences, and hands-on competitions. Founded in 1996, the AIAA Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational organization connected to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, andInstagram.

Contacts

Challenger Center
Lisa Vernal
[email protected]
202-827-1573

AIAA
Rebecca Gray
[email protected]
804-397-5270

AIAA Announces its Class of 2025 Associate Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce its newly elected Class of 2025 Associate Fellows. AIAA will formally honor and induct the class at the AIAA Associate Fellows Induction Ceremony and Dinner, Wednesday, 8 January 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando during the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum, 6–10 January 2025, Orlando, Florida.

“Congratulations to each member of the Class of 2025 Associate Fellows,” said AIAA President Dan Hastings. “This distinguished group of professionals has made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace profession. They exemplify a dedication to excellence in advancing their specific technical disciplines. We are proud of their achievements. They are shaping the future of aerospace.”

The grade of Associate Fellow recognizes individuals “who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or scientific work, or who have done original work of outstanding merit, or who have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.” To be selected as an Associate Fellow an individual must be an AIAA Senior Member in good standing, with at least 12 years of professional experience, and be recommended by three AIAA members.

“The AIAA Associate Fellows personify the innovation that drives our industry forward,” said AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher. “The members of the Class of 2025 Associate Fellows embody the ingenuity that is crucial for developing solutions to the complex questions raised across aeronautics, aerospace R&D, and space. On behalf of the Institute, we recognize the families, friends, and colleagues who support the Associate Fellows as they contribute their expertise to our community.”

For more information on the AIAA Honors Program or AIAA Associate Fellows, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

Class of 2025 AIAA Associate Fellows

Abdessattar Abdelkefi, New Mexico State University
Mujahid Abdulrahim, University of Missouri Kansas City
Jennifer Abras, HPCMP CREATE
Jason Action, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Elena Y. Adams, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Ademola Adejokun, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
CS Adishesha, Collins Aerospace
David R. Alexander, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Susie C. Allen-Sierpinski, NASA Kennedy Space Center
Jason M. Anderson, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
J. Gregory Anderson, Textron Aviation
Nathan F. Andrews, Southwest Research Institute
Phuriwat Anusonti-Inthra, U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Manan Arya, Stanford University
Armen Askijian, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.
Mohammad A. Ayoubi, Santa Clara University
Efstathios Bakolas, University of Texas, Austin
Brett F. Bathel, NASA Langley Research Center
Francine Battaglia, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Ivan Bermejo-Moreno, University of Southern California
Sanjeeb T. Bose, Cadence Design Systems
Dean Bryson, Air Force Research Laboratory
Kerry Buckley, The MITRE Corporation
Suman Chakravorty, Texas A&M University
Irene Chan, Summit Technologies & Solutions, Inc.
David A. Chart, Sierra Space Corporation
Sunil Chintalapati, Boston Geospatial
Lt. Col. Heather Cohea, USAF, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Christopher S. Combs, University of Texas at San Antonio
Elizabeth Congdon, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Stuart “Alex” Craig, University of Arizona
Mark Lawrence Darnell, GE Aerospace
Laine D’Augustine, The MITRE Corporation
Albert Dirkzwager, Textron Aviation
Steven A. Dunn, Lockheed Martin Space
Jessica Edmonds, Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company
Jason Etele, Carleton University
Enanga Daisy Fale, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Tanvir Farouk, University of South Carolina
Gary Fears, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Anthony Ferman II, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Juan M. Fernandez, NASA Langley Research Center
Travis C. Fisher, Sandia National Laboratories
James M. Free, NASA Headquarters
Andrew B. Freeborn, USAF Test Pilot School
Carolin Elisabeth Frueh, Purdue University
Francesco Giannini, Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company
Darrell E. Gillette, RTX
Ponnuthurai Gokulakrishnan, Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.
Christopher S. Goldenstein, Purdue University
Eric Golliher, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Kara M. Greene, Engineering Systems, Inc.
Eric Greenwood II, Pennsylvania State University
Michael Gregg, Air Force Research Laboratory
Gyula Greschik, TentGuild Engineering Company
Wenjiong Gu, GE Aerospace
Kyle M. Hanquist, University of Arizona
Kai Harth, AST SpaceMobile
Christine Hartzell, University of Maryland
Santosh Hemchandra, Indian Institute of Science
Koki Ho, Georgia Institute of Technology
Kai A. James, Georgia Institute of Technology
Jean-Baptiste Jeannin, University of Michigan
Michael Joly, RTX Technology Research Center
James C. Jones, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Thomas Carno Jones, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Jin Kang, U.S. Naval Academy
Prashant Khare, University of Cincinnati
Michael T. Kio, University of Maryland
Lisa Danielle Koch, NASA Glenn Research Center
Anjaney Kottapalli, Lockheed Martin Space
Phillip A. Kreth, University of Tennessee Space Institute
Kawai Kwok, Purdue University
Andrea L’Afflitto, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Bhavya Lal, NASA Headquarters (retired)
David S. Lazzara, Boom Supersonic
Sam Lee, HX5, LLC
Steven Lincoln, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Kyle P. Lynch, Sandia National Laboratories
Filippo Maggi, Politecnico di Milano
Richard A. Manwell, Textron Aviation
Eric Nesbitt, NASA Langley Research Center
Eric C. Marineau, Office of Naval Research
Michael W. Martin, Benchmark Space Systems
Kaela Mae Martin, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott
Matthieu M. Masquelet, Blue Origin LLC
Piyush M. Mehta, West Virginia University
Craig Gordon Merrett, Mississippi State University
James B. Michael, Auburn University
Craig Morris, LaminarEdge Aerospace
Benjamin P. Mottinger, Lockheed Martin Space
Sameer B. Mulani, University of Alabama
Patrick R. C. Neumann, Neumann Space
Idahosa A. Osaretin, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Dustin Otten, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
David J. Piatak, NASA Langley Research Center
Richard J. Prazenica, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Markus Raffel, DLR Göttingen
Jasenka Rakas, University of California Berkeley
Reetesh Ranjan, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Christopher Ruscher, Spectral Energies, LLC
Onkar Sahni, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Radhakrishna G. Sampigethaya, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Jonathan F. Sauder, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Mark Schoenenberger, NASA Langley Research Center
Geza H. Schrauf, Airbus, DLR (retired)
Wolfgang Schröder, RWTH Aachen University
David W. Sleight, NASA Langley Research Center
Clifford B. Smith, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems
Lt. Col. Derek Spear, U.S. Air Force
Rachelle Lea Speth, Air Force Research Laboratory
Dipak K. Srinivasan, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Akbar Sultan, NASA Headquarters
Rachel E. Tillman, The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation Project (VMMEPP)
William Tsai, California State University, Maritime Academy
Milton E. Vaughn Jr., U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Aviation and Missile Center
Catherine Venturini, The Aerospace Corporation
Laura Villafañe Roca, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Kenneth D. Visser, Calvin University
Nathan Joseph Webb, Ohio State University
Isaac E. Weintraub, Air Force Research Laboratory
Thomas K. West, NASA Langley Research Center
Andrew Wick, Helden Aerospace
Jay Wilhelm, Ohio University
Tin-Chee Wong, U.S. Army, Aviation & Missile Center
Namiko Yamamoto, Pennsylvania State University
Ann M. Zulkosky, Lockheed Martin Corporation

AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Dan Dumbacher Recognized with Allyship Award

AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher is being recognized by Women in Aerospace with their 2024 Allyship Award. This honor is presented to an individual ‘who actively promotes and aspires to advance a culture of inclusion for women through purposeful, positive and intentional efforts that benefit women in the aerospace community’. We are extremely proud of Dan and his ongoing efforts to advance women in the aerospace community. Congratulations Dan! The award will be presented at the WIA’s 39th Annual Awards Dinner and Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, on 10 October.
Full Story (WIA)

2024 ASCEND to Accelerate Our Off-World Future with Axiom Space, Boeing, DARPA, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, NRO, ULA, and U.S. Space Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announced dozens of speakers who will appear at its upcoming ASCEND event, 30 July – 1 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND serves as the nexus for addressing the most important opportunities and challenges that come with increased activity in space today. Over 200 industry luminaries from across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, adjacent industry representatives, and next-generation thinkers from around the world are scheduled to speak. Confirmed speakers include:

A.C. Charania, Chief Technologist, NASA
Carissa Christensen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BryceTech*
Debra Emmons, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, The Aerospace Corporation
Barbara Golf, Strategic Advisor for Space Domain Awareness, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, U.S. Space Force (USSF)
Janet Grondin, CEO, Stellar Solutions
Matt Kozlov, Managing Director, Techstars
Michael López-Alegría, Chief Astronaut, Axiom Space
Sandra Magnus, TraCSS Chief Engineer, MITRE/Office of Space Commerce*
Tom Marshburn, Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Space
Rob Meyerson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Interlune*
Maj. Michael Nayak, USAF, Program Manager, DARPA
Shawna Pandya, Director, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)*
Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President, Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space
Mark Peller, Senior Vice President, Vulcan Development and Advanced Programs, United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Christopher Scolese, Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
Lt. Gen. John Shaw, USSF (Ret.), Former Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command
Lauren Smith, Senior Program Manager, Satellite Refueling, Northrop Grumman*
Lee Steinke, Chief Operating Officer, CisLunar Industries
Melanie Stricklan, Executive Director, Space Workforce 2030, Space Foundation
Mandy Vaughn, CEO and Founder, GXO
Kurt Vogel, Associate Administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA
Kelly Weinersmith, Co-Author, A City on Mars
Matthew Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair, MBA Program; Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School*
Noelle Zietsman, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Boeing Exploration Systems*

*Member of the 2024 ASCEND Guiding Coalition

Many more speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. In addition, hundreds of technical papers and collaborative sessions are scheduled, featuring expert researchers and innovators that anchor the event with the long-term thinking required to build a sustainable off-world future.

“This year, we’re co-locating ASCEND with the AIAA AVIATION Forum in one venue. These two signature AIAA events will deliver full technical programs, visionary discussions, and industry networking our community counts on. With a central Expo Hall serving as the bridge between both events’ communities, we believe attendees will be energized by this unique experience. We look forward to welcoming thousands of aerospace professionals and students from across the aerospace sector,” said AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher.

Registration for the 2024 ASCEND event is open. Early bird rates end on 10 June. Journalists from around the world are invited to cover 2024 ASCEND; press passes are available for credentialed media by request. For more information, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum to Bridge the Gap Between Visionary Concepts and Technological Reality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2024 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced its five-day program for the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 29 July – 2 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, in pursuit of a sustainable and high-tech aviation future. The event will feature an extensive lineup of aviation leaders and innovators as speakers, panelists, and presenters, along with over 1,800 technical papers focused on the theme, “From Vision Through Velocity…Transitioning Technology into Reality.”

“We look forward to welcoming the worldwide aviation community to the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum – the epicenter for researchers, engineers, and pioneers driving innovation in aviation. A distinguished group of thought leaders will help lead our discussions about new capabilities on the horizon that will take us further, faster, safer, and cleaner,” said AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher.

From the main stage, attendees will hear how 2024 will be a landmark year with certification of electric aircraft, flight testing of supersonic aircraft, expanding use of automated and autonomous systems, and the continued progress of significant military programs. The keynote speakers and panelists represent industry, government, and academia across the aviation community. Confirmed speakers include:

Christine Andrews, Hybrid Electric Systems Leader, GE Aviation
Yemaya Bordain, CCO, President of Americas at Daedalean AI
A.C. Charania, Chief Technologist, NASA
Ravi Chaudhary, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment
Perry Comeau, Head of Flight Operations & Chief Test Pilot, National Research Council Canada
Ferguson “Juice” Dale, Owner, Semper Sky LLC
Bruce DeCleene, Director, Office of Senior Technical Experts, FAA
Graham Drozeski, Chief Technology Officer, Aurora Flight Sciences
Keoki Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The MITRE Corporation
Jimmy Kenyon, Center Director, NASA Glenn Research Center
Nils Larson, NASA X-59 Project Test Pilot, NASA
Mary Lombardo, Vice President, Advanced Technologies, Collins Aerospace
Jeff Luckett, President, UPS Flight Forward
Hendrik Meyer, Research Associate, DLR
Dan Newman, Chief Technology Officer, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell
Linda O’Brien, Vice President and Chief Engineer for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
David H. Robbins, Director, Infrastructure/Resiliency, Houston Airports System
Amanda Simpson, Founder and CEO, Third Segment
Ben Stabler, Chief Technology Officer, Heart Aerospace

The technical program will feature presentations on the latest innovations spanning 20+ aviation and aeronautics research topics, including fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, air transportation systems, thermophysics and heat transfer, multidisciplinary design optimization, and many more.

Attendees also can focus on electric aircraft during the AIAA/IEEE Electric Aircraft Technologies Symposium (EATS). This event is designed for electrical, propulsion system, and aerospace engineers to discuss electrified propulsion technologies for future aircraft.

“This year, we’re co-locating AIAA AVIATION Forum with ASCEND in one venue. These two signature AIAA events will deliver full technical programs, visionary discussions, and industry networking that our community counts on. With a central Expo Hall serving as the bridge between both events’ audiences, we believe attendees will be energized by this unique experience,” added Dumbacher.

Registration for the forum is open. Early-bird rates end on 10 June. Journalists who wish to cover the forum can request a Press Pass here. For the most up-to-date program information, visit aiaa.org/aviation

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, APR, [email protected], 804.397.5270 (cell)

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces Recipients of 2024 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship. The four $10,000 scholarships have been awarded to the following high school seniors. Read their full profiles on the AIAA website.

Alexis Andrulonis from Maple Glen, Pennsylvania
Currently attending Upper Dublin High School
Daisy Li from Jupiter, Florida
Currently attending Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
Khue Phan from Houston, Texas
Currently attending Kerr High School
Leslie Nava from Fort Worth, Texas
Currently attending I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA

The 2024 Kahn Scholarship recipients will be recognized during the AIAA Awards Gala on Wednesday, 15 May, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Tickets for the AIAA Awards Gala are available now. Each of the recipients also will be matched with an AIAA professional member as a mentor who will help guide them on their career path.

The Roger W. Kahn Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Roger Kahn (1907–1962) and his passion for aviation and entertainment. Kahn spent the latter part of his career at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation as a test pilot and then managed the technical service and sales division. In the 1940s, Kahn was actively involved with the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (one of the predecessor organizations of AIAA) and later served as its vice president. Kahn also was an accomplished jazz musician as early as the 1920s, composing songs often featured in stage productions and early films, as well as leading numerous orchestras. He became a recording artist for some of the first record labels including Victor, Brunswick, and Columbia.

“AIAA is pleased to honor the memory of Roger W. Kahn with a scholarship supporting the next generation of the aerospace profession. Kahn’s legacy of aviation enthusiasm and accomplishment began nearly 100 years ago and will remain relevant in the next 100 years of aviation and aerospace innovation,” commented AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher. “We are thrilled to award the Kahn Scholarship again this year to support these four impressive students as they shape the future of aerospace!”

AIAA introduced its High School Student Membership in 2021 as part of its commitment to becoming a vital lifelong link for student to access reliable resources and growth opportunities. AIAA high school members also have access to the Mentor Match program, the My Daily Launch news briefing, and webinars and on-demand content, as well as the exclusive Engage community platform to network with peers around the globe.

Basil Hassan, chair of the AIAA Foundation, added, “AIAA is honored by Roger W. Kahn’s gift to AIAA as a powerful investment in students. The AIAA Foundation is pleased to use part of this gift to help identify, mentor, and promote promising young aerospace talent. It’s especially exciting to support high school seniors at this early stage of their journey from classroom to career.”

Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Applauds the Passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“On behalf of the Institute’s nearly 30,000 professional and student members, we are pleased with the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that authorizes the FAA for the next five years. The legislation will boost the workforce while protecting consumers and modernizing airports. We appreciate the hard work by House and Senate leaders in getting this bill done and President Biden for signing into law. The bill contains provisions intended to bolster air safety, improve consumer protections, and increase flights at the airport closest to Capitol Hill.

AIAA looks forward to continuing its support of the FAA as we strive to maintain our nation’s leadership in aviation, while also helping make critical advances in technology development and research to advance safer, smarter, and more sustainable flight.”

AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Statement on Third SpaceX Starship Test Flight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher:

“Congratulations to the SpaceX team on today’s test flight of Starship from Starbase, Texas. We are excited to witness this new launch vehicle reaching orbit. The art and science of engineering requires testing. We can see how the team has applied the lessons learned from previous test flights. From today’s flight, we know the team is gaining valuable data they will use to continually improve Starship’s design.

We are excited to see commercial space launch companies advancing technology to extend the human neighborhood from low Earth orbit to the moon, and on to Mars. Expanding these boundaries takes innovation and hard work.

The SpaceX team deserves tremendous credit for this great accomplishment. AIAA recognizes the countless industry professionals who have helped design, build, and test Starship. We applaud AIAA Corporate Member SpaceX for taking this step forward in shaping the future of aerospace.”

AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Video

SpaceX launches Starship/Super Heavy Booster on third test flight
(AIAA recording; YouTube)

Challenger Center and AIAA Announce 2024 Trailblazing STEM Educator Awardees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three STEM Educators and Schools Receive Cash Awards and Free STEM Programming

Washington and Reston, Va. (March 5, 2024) – Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announce Jenn Donais, Sarah Leonard, and Darryl Newhouse as the winners of the 2024 Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award. Each teacher and their respective schools will be awarded $5,000. Additionally, each teacher will receive free access to Challenger Center STEM programming, a trip to Washington, D.C., to be honored at the 2024 AIAA Awards Gala, and an invitation to attend a future space launch experience.

In its third year, the award celebrates K-12 teachers who go above and beyond to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. The three winners come from schools across the United States and were selected from nearly 50 nominations. The nominations demonstrate the remarkable efforts teachers make every day to empower underserved and underrepresented students in STEM while using unique strategies, tools, and lessons in and out of the classroom to further energize students.

The 2024 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award recipients are (in alphabetical order by last name):

Jenn Donais, STEM Coach at Amesbury Middle School (Amesbury, Mass.). With 15 years of education experience, Donais prepares students for STEM careers through innovative STEM curricula, immersive STEM days, and career fairs. As an international STEM trainer, she has facilitated professional development sessions in the United Arab Emirates, collaborated with schools nationwide on STEM development, and has contributed to journals and other platforms to improve STEM engagement. In collaboration with Challenger Learning Center at the Christa McAuliffe Center, Framingham State University, Donais founded the Massachusetts Teacher STEM Fair, providing students and teachers with STEM engagement opportunities. She is a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching awardee, Project Lead The Way Lead Launch Teacher, and Google Certified Coach.
Sarah Leonard, Career and Technical Education Department Lead at Redding Middle School (Middletown, Del.). As an educator for 12 years, with Project Lead The Way certification, Leonard creates inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. This school year, Leonard organized STEM Connection Stations for the district’s Education Showcase Night, collaborated with NASA Johnson Space Center to secure the loan of an authentic NASA model for the school, and will be participating in the Civil Air Patrol’s Educator Flight program. She serves as advisor for the National Junior Honor Society and the STEM Connect Club, and she is a member of the Association for Career and Technical Education, AIAA, and Civil Air Patrol. She has been honored with the Delaware STEM Educator Award and 2024 Delaware District 2 VFW Teacher of the Year Award.
Darryl Newhouse, Engineering, Design, Mathematics, and Robotics Teacher at Foshay Learning Center (Los Angeles, Calif.). For more than 25 years, Newhouse has been igniting students’ passion and building excitement about STEM through robotics and technology. He established an engineering pathway for middle school and high school students, and successfully implemented an academically rigorous program using Project Lead The Way curriculum. As lead coach for the school’s FIRSTâ Robotics team, he emphasizes not only technical skills, but 21st-century skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and team building, as well as community service. Through project-based learning activities, he has made math and science more meaningful to students, preparing underrepresented and disadvantaged youth for post-secondary opportunities and STEM careers.

“We are thrilled to award Jenn, Sarah, and Darryl with the 2024 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award. Not only do these educators create equitable STEM learning environments for students of all backgrounds, but they provide opportunities for their students to experience real-life STEM careers, opening the possibilities for their futures,” said Lance Bush, President and CEO of Challenger Center. “With educators like them, we are preparing an inspired and capable STEM workforce of tomorrow.”

“These three Trailblazing STEM Educator Award winners are remarkable educators! We believe teachers are invaluable to their communities. We are pleased to fuel the work of these great educators with extra resources to help them continue going above and beyond. They are enabling a diverse and robust STEM-literate next generation. Together, they are shaping the future of aerospace,” said Dan Dumbacher, CEO, AIAA.

The winners will be recognized at the 2024 AIAA Awards Gala, scheduled for May 15 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.* The evening celebrates the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace. Tickets are available now.

Each winner can select from Challenger Center’s suite of hands-on, simulated learning experiences based on their classes’ needs. Center Missions, delivered at Challenger Learning Centers around the globe; Virtual Missions, delivered by Challenger Learning Center Flight Directors to students in and out of the classroom; and Classroom Adventures, digital experiences delivered by teachers in their classrooms, bring classroom lessons to life through exciting Earth- and space-themed journeys.

* Note: This event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

About Challenger Center
As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center provides hundreds of thousands of students annually with experiential education programs that engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. These programs, delivered in Challenger Learning Centers and classrooms, strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields. Challenger Center was created by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51L. For more information about Challenger Center, please visit www.challenger.org or connect on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org or follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.